Stroke as initial manifestation of non-small cell lung cancer with Trousseau syndrome

BMC Cancer. 2023 Nov 10;23(1):1096. doi: 10.1186/s12885-023-11627-2.

Abstract

Objective: Stroke is a rare but fatal complication of advanced cancer with Trousseau syndrome, especially as initial symptoms. Here, we report the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who initially presenting with acute multiple cerebral infarction.

Methods: The clinical characteristics, imaging, treatment, and oncological outcomes of 10 patients diagnosed with Trousseau syndrome and NSCLC between 2015 and 2021 at Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The clinical course of two typical cases were presented.

Results: All 10 patients with pathologically confirmed lung adenocarcinoma initially presented with neurological symptoms, including hemiplegic paralysis (7 patients, 70%), dizziness (5 patients, 50%), and unclear speech (3 patients, 30%). The median age was 63.5 years. Eight and two cases were stage III and IV, respectively, at the initial diagnosis. Five patients underwent driver gene testing, revealing three patients with EGFR-sensitive mutations, one patient with ALK fusion, and one patient with wild-type EGFR. All 10 patients received antiplatelet therapy, and six patients subsequently received anti-cancer treatment. The median overall survival of the patients was 8.5 months (95% confidence interval) and 1-year survival rate was 57.1%. Patients who received antitumor treatment, especially those harboring driver gene mutations and received tyrosine kinase inhibitors, had better neurological symptom recovery and superior oncological prognosis (median overall survival, not reached versus 7.4 months, p = 0.038).

Conclusion: Trousseau syndrome, presenting as multiple cerebral infarctions, is a rare complication of lung adenocarcinoma. Both antiplatelet and antitumor treatment are recommended to achieve better neurological recovery and oncological prognosis in these patients.

Keywords: Lung Adenocarcinoma; Stroke; Trousseau Syndrome.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / complications
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / drug therapy
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stroke* / etiology

Substances

  • ErbB Receptors
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors